Apparatus and method for communicating over a distributed system of computers

ABSTRACT

A communications system particularly suited for a distributed network of computers such as the World Wide Web or the Internet. Connected to the distributed network is a broadcast computer which simultaneously communicates two streams of video. The first stream of video is of entertainment content; the second stream of video contains commercial content. The receiver of the two streams has both streams displayed simultaneously and is able to select which stream&#39;s audio component is played to the user&#39;s computer&#39;s loudspeakers. In one embodiment of the invention, the user is also able to replace the commercial channel with another selected commercial channel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to apparatus used to communicate andmore particularly to communication through a network of computers.

The present discussion is in relationship to the Internet or the WorldWide Web. This is done for simplicity of description and not to limitthe scope of the invention. The invention is intended to cover anydistributed network of computers as those of ordinary skill in the artreadily appreciate.

With the introduction and subsequent wide spread acceptance and use ofthe Internet, a medium for communication now exists in which millions ofusers have instant access to a wide range of information. While some ofthis information is static (i.e. news articles and productexplanations), there are also a level of information that falls into the“motion” category (i.e. movies and live-cams).

The motion category of information is usually communicated for itsentertainment, as opposed to educational, purpose; but even thisdistinction is blurred by the broadcaster's ingenious use of the medium.

To assist in communicating this content, a variety of patents have beendeveloped to create a moving picture communicated through the Internet(sometimes referred to as “streaming video”). These include: U.S. Pat.No. 6,029,200, entitled “Automatic Protocol Rollover in StreamingMultiMedia Data Delivery System” issued to Beckerman et al. on Feb. 22,2000; U.S. Pat. No. 5,983,005, entitled “Multicasting Method andApparatus” issued to Monteiro et al. on Nov. 9, 1999; U.S. Pat. No.5,778,187, entitled “Multicasting Method and Apparatus” issued toMonteriro et al. on Jul. 7, 1998; U.S. Pat. No. 6,088,737, entitled“Information Processing System and Control Method Thereof” issued toYano et al. on Jul. 11, 2000; U.S. Pat. No. 6,079,566, entitled “Systemand Method for Processing Object-Based Audiovisual Information” issuedto Eleftheriadis et al. on Jun. 27, 2000; U.S. Pat. No. 6,072,483,entitled “Active Frame Scroll Interface” issued to Rosin et al. on Jun.6, 2000; U.S. Pat. No. 6,044,397, entitled “System and Method forGeneration and Interfacing of Bitstreams Representing MPEG-CodedAudiovisual Objects” issued to Eleftheriadis et al. on Mar. 28, 2000;U.S. Pat. No. 6,009,410, entitled “Method and System for PresentingCustomized Advertising to a User on the World Wide Web” issued to LeMoleet al. on Dec. 28, 1999; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,006,241, entitled“Production of a Video Stream with Synchronized Annotations over aComputer Network” issued to Purnaveja et al. on Dec. 21, 1999; all ofwhich are incorporated hereinto by reference. “Streaming Video” hasbecome a popular mechanism for distribution of entertainment.

It is clear from the foregoing that there is a significant need forenhanced video distribution over the Internet and other distributednetworks of computers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is a communications system particularly suited for adistributed network of computers such as the World Wide Web or theInternet. While the nomenclature or title changes, a distributed networkof computers is a grouping of computers which share information (whetherthe information is stored within a computer or is generated by operatorsof the computers). This sharing of information is accomplished through avariety of mechanisms well known to those of ordinary skill in the artand can be either “hard wired”, “wireless”, a combination thereof, orother techniques.

Connected to the distributed network is a broadcast computer. Withinthis context, a “computer” is an electronic apparatus which executes aseries of commands. In one embodiment of the invention, a “gang” orgrouping of computers is utilized to serve the function of the“broadcast computer”. A grouping of computers is intended to be includedwithin this definition.

The broadcast computer simultaneously communicates two streams of video.Suitable techniques for this task are explained in detail in the patentsreferenced above. Those of ordinary skill in the art readily recognize avariety of other methodologies which will serve this function.

The first stream of video contains entertainment. This video stream iscreated through a variety of techniques. In one embodiment of theinvention, a pre-recorded video is stored within the library or memoryof the broadcast computer and is then “downloaded” upon request.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, the video stream is “live”.In this embodiment, a camera or cameras is established to capture ascene as it happens. The electronic stream from the camera iscommunicated to the broadcast computer “live” to give the viewer animmersion into the activity. This embodiment of the invention isparticularly suited for use within a theme park. This embodiment allowsthe viewer to view the activities at a remote theme park and enjoy theactivities and costumed characters.

The second stream of video contains commercial content. While thedistinction between “commercial” and “entertainment” is often blurred,this second stream of video's predominate purpose is to acquaint theviewer with product(s) or service(s) with the intent that, once soinformed, the viewer is enticed to purchase the product(s) orservice(s).

As example, using the live theme park for reference, the first videostream might contain live action from the main street within the themepark while the second video might contain video information on the localhotels.

At the other end of the network of computers is a computer which servesas the receiver. The receiving computer simultaneously displays the twostreams of video. The user of the receiving computer is able to viewboth action scenes simultaneously and is able to select which stream'saudio component is played using the receiving computer's loudspeakers.

Using the prior example of the theme park, the view is able to see boththe video on the main street and also the video commercial on thehotels. For a while the viewer “listens” to the main street (say as theband passes by) and later changes to hear the video on the hotel beingdescribed. In this way, the viewer is given an idea of the theme park'sentertainment, and is also able to consider lodging options near thetheme park.

In one embodiment of the invention, a display is produced to track thecommercial video's content. This display is usually a scrollingapparatus allowing the user to “backtrack” to a specific spot on thevideo. As example, if the video has progressed past the Hilton Hotel andthe Days Rest and is now displaying the commercial description of theSlumber Inn, the user is able to “click” (select) Days Rest and have thecommercial video retrace itself to this location for a second displayfor the viewers review.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the “click” on Days Restinitiates a link (via the distributed network of computers) with thereservations computer for Days Rest; thereby allowing the user to makereservations while still on-line.

In this embodiment of the invention, the linking of the receivingcomputer with the Days Rest computer may sever the link with thebroadcast computer; or the Days Rest computer communicates messageswhich simply replace the area of the receiving computer's screen thatwas displaying the second video.

In one embodiment of the invention, the user is also able to replace thecommercial channel with another commercial channel. This capabilityprovides the user with a fresh advertisement video; thereby allowing theuser to purview other products or services.

Using the prior example of the theme park, the second video stream onhotels in the area may be replaced with a video giving details on flightschedules, car rentals, novelty products from the theme park, etc.

The invention, together with various embodiments thereof, will be morefully explained by the accompanying drawings and the followingdescription thereof.

DRAWINGS IN BRIEF

FIG. 1 is a functional layout of the preferred embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 2 is a functional layout of the preferred broadcast computer.

FIG. 3 is a functional layout of an alternative embodiment of thebroadcast computer.

FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C are views of user/receiver displays for thepreferred embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are views of the user/receiver displays showingalternative embodiments for communicating a merchant's site to theuser/receiver.

FIG. 6 illustrates the informational context communicated from thebroadcast computer to the network of computers.

FIG. 7 is a flow-chart of the operation of the broadcast computer in thepreferred embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flow-chart of the operation of the receiving computer in thepreferred embodiment.

DRAWINGS IN DETAIL

FIG. 1 is a functional layout of the preferred embodiment of theinvention.

Within this illustration, the distributed network of computers isillustrated as the Internet 12. Using this network is the broadcastcomputer 10, the receiving computer 13, and the merchant computer 11, aswell as many others not shown.

Information is exchanged between the broadcast computer 10 and thereceiving computer 13 using channels 16A and 16B. Channel 16A permitsthe two video streams, their associated audio, and other data streams tobe communicated through Internet 12 to exit as channel 16B and used bythe receiving computer 13. This information, is communicated to a userusing display 13 and speakers 13B.

In like fashion, information generated by the user of receiving computer13 is communicated via channel 16B through the Internet 12 and channel16A to the broadcast computer 10. This return exchange of informationpermits the user to request certain information from the broadcastcomputer, such as, but not limited to, changing the commercial videobeing sent by broadcast computer 10.

In this illustration, the entertainment video stream is originallygenerated by camera 14 which captures a live action 15. The output ofcamera 14 is communicated to the broadcast computer 10 which sends outthe video stream substantially upon receipt, to receiving computer 13.This embodiment is particularly useful for the scenario described abovewhere the live action 15 is collected from a theme park.

The user of receiving computer 13 is able to “link” with merchantcomputer 11 and obtain information concerning the products provided bythe merchant and which have been advertised using the commercial channeloriginating from the broadcast computer.

The information from the merchant computer 11 is communicated to theInternet 12 via channel 16C and is obtained by the receiving computerusing channel 16B.

In this discussion, channels 16A, 16B, and 16C, may or may not bephysical links such as telephone lines, or the like. These channels areused to show the passage of information from the Internet 12 to and fromthe various computers connected to the Internet 12.

Note, in this illustration, although the commercial content of the videois being disseminated by broadcast computer 10, the user is able todirectly contact the merchant's computer 11 (which is remote frombroadcast computer 10) to obtain further information on the products,clarify points of interest on the products advertised, or to placeorders for specific goods from the merchant.

FIG. 2 is a functional layout of the preferred broadcast computer.

In this preferred embodiment of broadcast computer 10, the incomingvideo 20 is communicated through gate 21A. The entire operation ofbroadcast computer 10 is controlled by Central Processing Unit (CPU)21D. CPU 21D, through control of gate 21A allows the video stream toflow to output mechanism 21B and then into channel 16A which places thevideo into the Internet (not shown in this illustration).

CPU 21D also draws information from memory 21E which is combined withthe video through gate 21A. This information is usually textual incontext. In the preferred embodiment, the textual information withdrawnfrom memory 21E is a schedule of what events are forthcoming within thevideo stream 20. As example, the textual information for the theme parkexample may read: Event Time to Event Main Street Parade 15 minutesInterview with Guest 25 minutes Band Time News 32 minutes

This textual information is updated as time progresses.

Memory 21E, in this embodiment, is used to store the commercial videos.As directed by CPU 21D, memory 21E communicates a commercial video viaoutput 21C to join in channel 16A with the entertainment video.

Selection of the proper commercial video within memory 21E isaccomplished either automatically, or in response to a remote user'sinput received via channel 16A and communicated to input 21F for use byCPU 21D.

Further control of CPU 21D is accomplished by operator station 22 whichuses montiro 23 and keyboard 24 for two-way information exchange withCPU 21D.

FIG. 3 is a functional layout of an alternative embodiment of thebroadcast computer.

Broadcast computer 10A is centrally controlled using control 30A. Storedwith control 30A are directions (either using software or hardwired) towithdraw from memory 30B, both the entertainment video as well as thecommercial video. In this embodiment, the entertainment video istypically pre-recorded and then is communicated when the user requestsit. An example of such a pre-recorded video is a movie or documentary.

The entertainment video is communicated from memory 30B to theentertainment computer 30C which formats the video stream andcommunicates it to the remote receiver using a first source address 31A(denoted in this illustration as “address/E”. In like fashion, thecommercial video is communicated from memory 30B to the commercialcomputer 30D which then formats the commercial video and communicates itusing a second source address 31B (denoted “address/C”).

This embodiment of the invention is particularly powerful as it permitsthe receiver to view two different sites (video sites in thisillustration) at the same time.

To use the prior example of a theme park, in one embodiment of theinvention, when the core address for the theme park is:http://www.themepark.com, then the address for the entertainment videoand commercial video would be: entertainment video-http://www.themepark.com/entertainment commercial video-http://www.themepark.com/commercial/hotels

Other commercial videos would use other address for communicating theirparticular genre of commercials:http:www.themepark.com/commercial/rentalcars (for rental cars)http:www.themepark.com/commercial/eating (for restaurants)http:www.themepark.com/commercial/curios (for items from the park)

It is clear that using this technique, any number of commercial videoscan be stored and then retrieved to be sent out as per the request ofthe receiving computer.

FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C are views of user/receiver displays for thepreferred embodiment of the invention.

Referring to FIG. 4A, the two video streams are displayed asentertainment 40A and commercial 42A. The audio component of the videofor the entertainment 40A is chosen by audio bar 41A allowing theentertainment audio to be communicated to speaker 47A. When audio bar41A is activated, audio bar 48A is muted, thereby allowing only a singleaudio component to be played at any one time.

Commercial video 42A continues to play, associated with commercial video42A is an historical linking 43A which provides the means for the userto “backtrack” to past advertisements or to select other commercialsubject matters. This allows the user to “notice” an advertisement andnot have to rush to “click” and gain further information before theadvertisement disappears from the commercial video 42A.

Pre-view chart 44A is tied to entertainment video 40A and provides alisting of what events are forthcoming on entertainment video 40A. Thisallows the user to anticipate the upcoming events.

For this embodiment of the invention, the “browser” or software used bythe receiving computer is designed to capture video from two differentaddresses, 45A and 46A. These addresses define the source of theentertainment video 40A (address 45A) and the commercial video 42A(address 46A).

FIG. 4B illustrates the situation where the user has activated the audiocomponent from the commercial video 42B using audio bar 48B. Thisautomatically mutes audio bar 41B so that only the audio for thecommercial video 42B is played by speakers 47B.

Note, the receiving computer is still linked to the same addresses 45Band 46B as that shown in FIG. 4A. Switching these addresses, as shown inFIG. 4C results in a different commercial video 42C being shown.

While the entertanment address 45C remains the same, the user hasconnected to a new commercial address 46C. This accomplished, in thepreferred embodiment, by clicking on linking 43C which results in a newcommercial video 42C being shown.

In the manner outlined in FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C, the user of thereceiving computer is able to select which commercial video is shown,and the audio used while both an entertainment and an audio video aresimultaneously displayed.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are views of the user/receiver displays showingalternative embodiments for communicating a merchant's site to theuser/receiver.

FIG. 5A illustrates the preferred embodiment of the invention in whichthe receiver has chosen to be linked with the merchant computer.Displayed on the receiving monitor 50A is the entertainment video 51corresponding to address 53, as well as the merchant's display 52corresponding to address 54A.

Note, the source of entertainment video 51 is from the broadcastcomputer; the source of the merchant display 52 is from a differentcomputer, often owned and operated by the merchant.

An alternative embodiment is shown in FIG. 5B. In this embodiment, whenthe receiver wants to view the merchant's display 52, it totallycaptures display 50B and the receiving computer is linked only withaddress 54B.

FIG. 6 illustrates the informational context communicated from thebroadcast computer to the network of computers.

Within the preferred embodiment, the informational content 60 being sentby the broadcast computer falls into six main categories:

-   -   1—Textual material related to the entertainment portion 61;    -   2—Entertainment video stream 62;    -   3—Audio associated with the entertainment video stream 63;    -   4—Commercial video stream 64;    -   5—Audio associated with the commercial video stream 65; and,    -   6—Textual material relating to historical accounting of the        commercials (often being links to merchants), as well as        selections for alternative commercial videos.

Those of ordinary skill in the art recognize a variety of other types ofinformation that may be included with this grouping.

FIG. 7 is a flow-chart of the operation of the broadcast computer in thepreferred embodiment.

Once start 70A occurs, the program determines if the viewer is ready71A. When the viewer is ready, the program selects a commercial video72A and then transmits the entertainment video and audio,simultaneously, the selected commercial video and audio is transmitted72B A check is then made to determine if the user wants to change thecommercial 71B, in which case the new commercial video is withdrawn 72Cand then transmitted 72B.

If the user does not want to change the commercial video 71B, then adetermination is made on if the entertainment video has been completelyrun 71C. If so, the program stops 70B; otherwise, the next segment ofthe entertainment video and audio (together with the selected commercialvideo and audio) is sent 72B.

FIG. 8 is a flow-chart of the operation of the receiving computer in thepreferred embodiment.

When the receiving computer starts 80A, it links with the broadcastcomputer 81A, and obtains the downloaded data 82A. This downloaded datais the entertainment video and audio, the commercial video and audio,the schedule, and the links.

If the user of the receiving computer doesn't want to change 83A, thedownloaded material is displayed 84D. A determination is made tocontinue 83B, and if the program is to continue, the link with thebroadcast computer is refreshed 81B and a new set of download data 82Ais collected; if the program is not to continue, it stops 80B.

Returning to the options available to the user of the computer 83A, theuser's choices also include the ability to change the audio feed to thecommercial video 84A (followed by the continue option 83B and itssubsequent operations described above).

Another option available to the user is to selected a differentcommercial video 82B, after which the data on the new commercial videoand its associated audio is downloaded 82C; whereupon the videos aredisplayed using the audio from the new commercial video 84B. Again, thechoices on continue 83B are then executed.

Yet another option allows the user to link with the merchant computer81C. The merchant site is then displayed 84C. Once the merchant site hasbeen utilized by the user, the program stops 80C.

It is clear that the present invention provides for a highly improvedcommunication mechanism and method suited ideally for a distributednetwork of computers.

1. A communications system comprising: a) a distributed network forcomputers; b) a broadcast computer connected to said distributed networkfor computers, said broadcast computer having access to, 1) a firststream of video containing entertainment content, and, 2) a secondstream of video containing commercial content; said broadcast computerhaving means for simultaneously communicating the first stream of videoand the second stream of video to a remote computer via said distributednetwork for computers.
 2. The communications system according to claim1, further including a remote computer connected to said distributednetwork for computers and having, a) means for receiving at least twostreams of video; and, b) means for simultaneously displaying said firststream of video and said second stream of video.
 3. The communicationssystem according to claim 2, wherein said means for receiving and saidmeans for simultaneously displaying are operating simultaneously.
 4. Thecommunications system according to claim 2, wherein said means forsimultaneously displaying includes means for separately displaying saidfirst stream of video and said second stream of video.
 5. Thecommunications systems according to claim 2, a) wherein said firststream of video and said second stream of video each include an audiocomponent; and, b) wherein said remote computer includes, 1) audiospeakers, and, 2) means, responsive to operator input, for selectivelycommunicating the audio component from said first stream of video orsaid second stream of video to said audio speakers.
 6. Thecommunications network according to claim 1, a) further including aremote computer having, 1) means for receiving at least two streams ofvideo from said broadcast computer via said distributed network ofcomputers, and, 2) means for communicating an indicia to said broadcastcomputer via said distributed network of computers; and, b) wherein saidbroadcast computer further includes access to, 1) a third stream ofvideo, said third stream of video containing commercial content; and, 2)means, responsive to the indicia from said remote computer, forcommunicating said third stream of video in lieu of the second stream ofvideo.
 7. The communications system according to claim 1, a) whereinsaid second stream of video includes address identifiers therein; and b)wherein said address identifiers are periodically communicated to saidremote computer.
 8. The communications system according to claim 7,wherein said remote compute includes means for communicating ahistorical listing of said address identifiers to a user of saidcomputer.
 9. The communications system according to claim 7, whereinsaid remote computer includes means, responsive to an operator selectionof a selected address identifier, for connecting said remote computer toa merchant computer remote from said broadcast computer.
 10. Thecommunications system according to claim 1, a) wherein said broadcastcomputer includes time dependent data, and wherein said broadcastcomputer includes means for communicating said time dependent data tosaid remote computer; and, b) wherein said remote computer includesmeans for displaying said time dependent data in conjunction with saidfirst stream of video and said second stream of video.
 11. Thecommunications system according to claim 10, wherein said means forcommunicating said time dependent data of said broadcast computer isperiodically activated.
 12. A broadcasting system comprising a broadcastcomputer connected to a distributed network of computers, said broadcastcomputer having means for simultaneously communicating a first stream ofvideo and a second stream of video to a remote computer via saiddistributed network of computers.
 13. The broadcasting system accordingto claim 12, wherein said broadcast computer includes memory means forstoring the second stream of video.
 14. The broadcasting systemaccording to claim 13, wherein said first stream of video is supplied tosaid broadcast computer via a camera.
 15. The broadcasting systemaccording to claim 14, wherein said first stream of video iscommunicated by said means for simultaneously communicatingsubstantially upon receipt of said first stream of video from saidcamera by said broadcast computer.
 16. The broadcasting system accordingto claim 12, wherein said broadcast computer includes means forcommunicating an audio component with said first stream of video and anaudio component with said second stream of video.
 17. The broadcastingsystem according to claim 12, wherein said broadcast computer furtherincludes: a) a third stream of video, said third stream of videocontaining commercial content; and, b) means, responsive to an indiciafrom the remote computer, for simultaneously communicating said thirdstream of video in lieu of the second stream of video with the firststream of video.
 18. A method of communicating entertainment contentcomprising the steps of: a) arranging a first stream of entertainmentvideo and a second stream of video, said second stream of video beingsubstantially of commercial content; and, b) simultaneouslycommunicating the first stream of entertainment video and the secondstream of video to a remote computer via a distributed network ofcomputers.
 19. The method according to claim 18, further including thesteps of, by the remote computer: a) receiving at least two streams ofvideo; and, b) simultaneously displaying said at least two streams ofvideo.
 20. The method according to claim 19, further including the stepof, by the remote computer, separately displaying a first stream ofvideo and a second stream of video.
 21. The method according to claim19, wherein the remote computer includes the step of selectivelycommunicating an audio component from said first stream of entertainmentvideo or said second stream of video to audio speakers located proximateto the remote computer.
 22. The method according to claim 18, a) whereinthe remote computer further includes the steps of, 1) receiving at leasttwo streams of video from said broadcast computer via said distributednetwork of computers, and, 2) communicating an operator generatedindicia to said broadcast computer via said distributed network ofcomputers; and, b) wherein said broadcast computer further includes thesteps of, in response to said operator generated indicia, communicatinga third stream of video in lieu of the second stream of video.